Update: Only 1 Vote Taken at Mysterious School Committee Meeting

There couldn't be more secrecy or suspicion expressed by those at Town Hall late Friday afternoon as the Portsmouth School Committee held a "special, emergency meeting." 

About 30 people, including all of the school district's principals, Superintendent Lynn Krizic and two town council members, waited with questions in the council chamber as the school committee met in executive session in a back room. 

The school committee opened the meeting saying the issue involved a "personnel matter" and the individual in question was notified. The person also waived the right to hold the meeting in public, said committee Chairwoman Cynthia Perrotti. 

However, few in attendance could explain the reason behind the emergency meeting.

All seven members of the school committee welcomed a stenographer at first. However, at 4:03 p.m., the stenographer exited the back room. 

Updated at 4:36 p.m. 

In the audience on Friday were two attorneys: Jeff Sowa, representing administrators, and Ronald Cascione, private attorney for the superintendent. 

Also in attendance was school committee attorney Stephen Robinson, who was asked to attend the closed-door session around 4:20. 

The meeting agenda is posted at right. The description for the executive session reads, "The School Committee shall adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. Law  42-46-5, Exception (a)(1) Job Performance/Character/Physical or Mental Health Matters. (Administrator Job Performance)."

Updated at 5:08 p.m. 

The school committee returned to open session just after 5:05 p.m. 

Perrotti reported one vote taken in executive session, which was "to ask the stenographer to leave." The vote was 6-1 with Perrotti in opposition. 

The committee then voted to seal the meeting's minutes. The vote passed 7-0.